Moms of teenage athletes- HELP!

[Anonymous]

OMG- this is one of those things you hear from parents when your kids are younger but don't truly believe it until it happens. I'm talking about the sheer quantity of food my sons are eating. They're 13 and do swim team and will be running cross country in the fall when school starts so I know they need the food - they're in shape and very active - but I wanted to reach out to those who have been there done that for budgeting tips, snacks your kids like and are somewhat filling, etc. I took note of what they ate today (this is a pretty average day):

Breakfast before swim practice:
• Four eggs, scrambled
• Two pieces of toast on whole wheat bread with butter
• Banana

After swim snack:
• Sliced pita pockets + hummus

Lunch:
• Two grilled chicken sandwiches (each was 3oz + a bun)
• Dish of baby carrots
• handful of sugar snap peas
• Glass of chocolate milk
• Sliced strawberries

Afternoon snack:
• Smoked salmon with crackers

Dinner:
• 3 burrito sized tortillas filled with hamburger meat, lettuce, shredded cheese, sour cream
• Steamed broccoli and cauliflower mix
• Fruit salad

After dinner:
• Half a bag of turkey sticks

Is this normal?! Thoughts, suggestions, etc.?

[Anonymous]

Seems like healthy meals, so as long as they're not overweight, they should be fine.

I'm so jealous. My kids are very short, and they eat so little.

[Anonymous]

I don't know what turkey sticks are, but the rest of it looks healthy. If their weight seems proportional to their height (although kids may bulk up and then slim down as they go through growth spurts), and they're eating healthy foods, let them eat as much as they want.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't know what turkey sticks are, but the rest of it looks healthy. If their weight seems proportional to their height (although kids may bulk up and then slim down as they go through growth spurts), and they're eating healthy foods, let them eat as much as they want.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Old-Wisconsin-Snack-Sticks-Turkey-Sausage-8-0-OZ/23554639?wmlspartner=wlpa&adid=22222222228017128620&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=m&wl3=40889157872&wl4=pla-78819108272&wl5=9019417&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=online&wl12=23554639&wl13=&veh=sem

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Seems like healthy meals, so as long as they're not overweight, they should be fine.

I'm so jealous. My kids are very short, and they eat so little.

Same with my tiny 12 yr old DS.

[Anonymous]

Mine is 16 and plays football.

He would likely add a shake with whole milk (or ice cream) peanut butter and a banana.

This time of year the budget goes out the window. Almost.

[Anonymous]

Cereal with whole milk makes a great snack for an active, athletic teen.

[Anonymous]

Pp here. We go through an amazing amount of peanut butter and bread sometimes.

He's also growing right now too.

[Anonymous]

BTDT

Get ready because those baby pits get deeper and deeper. I had to cook big 3 times a day to keep up. My husband used to say with the money we spent on groceries we could have taken an around the world trip.

Mine were 6'3" and in the weight category of between 180 and 230. At 13.

Shoes and clothes will kill your budget too. My advice ? Start a savings account now. Seriously.

[Anonymous]

Costco was my best friend when mine were that age. Keep offering the grilled chicken, eggs, really any kind of meat.

[Anonymous]

Buy in bulk at Sam's or Costco. You can save a lot on many items.

[Anonymous]

Normal. My 14 year old is either eating or talking about how hungry he is ALL. THE. TIME. All I can say is up the protein as much as possible.

[Anonymous]

Feed them more fat. They're getting lots of protein and carbs but fat will keep them full longer and give them slower burning fuel to keep them going. Butter, full fat yogurt, avocados, nuts, good quality meat. More eggs as snacks (hard boiled are great).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:BTDT

Get ready because those baby pits get deeper and deeper. I had to cook big 3 times a day to keep up. My husband used to say with the money we spent on groceries we could have taken an around the world trip.

Mine were 6'3" and in the weight category of between 180 and 230. At 13.

Shoes and clothes will kill your budget too. My advice ? Start a savings account now. Seriously.

PP: How in the world did you cook big 3 times a day. I am barely managing one time a day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Feed them more fat. They're getting lots of protein and carbs but fat will keep them full longer and give them slower burning fuel to keep them going. Butter, full fat yogurt, avocados, nuts, good quality meat. More eggs as snacks (hard boiled are great).

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Correct.